Ballard High School junior Rachel Dejneka is one of six Seattle students headed to NYC to be honored at the National Academy Foundation’s Annual Gala. Student were selected for their leadership skills, academic success and involvement in Academy programs. Students will attend a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Congrats, Rachel! Seattle Public Schools’ press release follows below with more details…
PRESS RELEASE — Seattle – Six students from Ballard, Chief Sealth, Franklin and Ingraham high schools have been selected to attend the National Academy Foundation’s Annual Gala in New York City on February 24-26, 2009. The prestigious event will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria, with a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra taking place at Carnegie Hall as part of the gala. Each student was recommended by their Academy teachers because of their leadership, academic success, and being highly involved in their programs.
The mission of Seattle Public Schools is to ensure that all students meet or exceed grade-level expectations and graduate from high school prepared for college, career, and life. Seattle Public Schools’ five-year strategic plan, Excellence for All, focuses on providing excellence in every classroom in every school. A key strategy of Excellence for All is to align curriculum across the District, with a focus on math and science.
“I want to congratulate these students for their hard work, their leadership and their outstanding accomplishments,” said Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D. “Our academy programs challenge students to meet high academic standards in all subjects, including math and science, while equipping them with knowledge and skills that will serve them well in college, career and life. I also want to thank our Academy teachers – the success of these students is a testament to the importance of excellent instruction in every classroom.”
Students participating from Seattle Public Schools are: Rachel Dejneka, a junior at Ballard High School, Academy of Finance; Maureen Gray, a senior at Ingraham High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism; Dameon Johnson, a junior at Franklin High School, Academy of Finance; Mohamed Mohamed, a junior at Chief Sealth High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism ; Alexander Pham, a junior at Ingraham High School, Academy of Information Technology; and Michelle Tran, a junior at Chief Sealth High School, Academy of Finance.
Seattle Public Schools has National Academy Foundation (NAF) programs at Ballard, Franklin, Chief Sealth and Ingraham high schools. All NAF academies, Academy of Finance, Academy of Information Technology and Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, have a focus on math incorporated into their curriculum, including such classes as accounting, world of economics, international finance, computer programming, among others.
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is an acclaimed network of high school career academies predominately based in urban districts with rigorous, career-themed curricula created with current industry and educational expertise. NAF builds partnerships between high schools and businesses to prepare students for post-secondary education and careers through a theme-based curriculum approach in finance, hospitality and tourism and information technology.
Academy Advisory Board members are making the trip possible with their generous donation of air miles and full payment for the hotel rooms.
Profiles of NAF Gala Event Attendees:
Rachel Dejneka
Ballard High School, Academy of Finance (AOF), Junior
Rachel was selected by her teachers to represent Ballard at the NAF Gala because of her enthusiasm and her commitment to the AOF program. Developing life skills and learning about business were motivators for her joining the Academy. Her leadership and commitment is evident with her involvement in competitions for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and in her role as co-chair on the Seattle Academy Student Leaders (SASL). Some of Rachel’s eagerness to contribute and to learn may come from the encouragement and support she receives from her family whose backgrounds include Russian and Brazilian roots. Rachel enjoys meeting people, is curious about new places, is open to experiences and contrasting points of view, and she accepts responsibility for completing a job to the best of her abilities.
Maureen Gray
Ingraham High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT), Senior
Maureen has been involved in AOHT @ Ingraham for three years. She is a focused achiever and has maintained an A grade in all of her Hospitality & Tourism courses. She was also involved in enrichment activities outside the classroom: industry specific job shadows & field trips and the annual Career Awareness Events. She gained additional skill and experiences as a summer intern at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel where she received an excellent evaluation. She is focused on having a career in Business with emphasis on Hospitality. She plans to attend a four year university.
Dameon Johnson
Franklin High School, Academy of Finance (AOF), Junior
Dameon has been involved in AOF leadership since his sophomore year as the Franklin AOF Seattle Area Student Leadership (SASL) representative. This school year he was elected and serves as the SASL co-chair. According to his family, being involved in AOF has changed the direction of his life. He is a focused and dedicated young man and is recognized by Advisory Board members for his professionalism. He is an Academy officer at his high school, mentors others and leads by example. After graduation, he plans to pursue a degree in business.
Mohamed Mohamed
Chief Sealth High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT), Junior
Mohamed entered the AOHT Academy as a junior, taking both the INTRO and the 11th grade classes to complete the requirements. He is one of the top students in the 11th grade AOHT Academy. He does his best and works to keep the students together as a group. He enthusiastically volunteered to attend the AOHT Advisory Board meeting, interacting with adults connected with the program. Alex always looks professional, presents himself well and is one of the more mature students in the program. His major interest and future plans revolve around the world of business.
Alex Pham
Ingraham High School, Academy of Information Technology (AOIT), Junior
Alex is following in his family’s footsteps with a keen interest in Information Technology. He has been in AOIT for three years, excelled academically with an A grade for all courses which include programming. He is a serious student who is an achiever. In addition to his technology courses, he is taking Running Start and International Baccalaureate course work. His future plans are to attend a four year university, aspiring to become a pharmacist.
Michelle Tran
Chief Sealth High School, Academy of Finance (AOHT), Junior
Michelle joined the Academy of Finance because business is one of her top options for majors in college. She felt the Academy would help her to learn more about the business world, its responsibilities, and also many financial tips that would benefit her decision making. Michelle is the 2010 junior class president and has been a part of the Associated Student Body leadership for the past two years. She is also an International Baccalaureate (IB) student, currently taking five IB classes. She was influenced by her sisters, both Academy graduates, to seriously consider pursuing a career in business.
